Wealth and glory seek stability

If they were really forced to live a dull life, I'm afraid they wouldn't be able to bear it for even a day.

Tucao returns to Tucao.

Jian Xi still raised her standard smile and complimented, "Your Majesty works hard day and night on state affairs, getting up early and staying up late, and managing the country in an orderly manner. This ordinary day is a chance to take a break from your busy life. You must take care of yourself."

Zhang Qiao finished his drink and poured himself another one, muttering, "I have a chance to relax for a while. What a great sentence. You are worthy of being a person from the Central Plains, a place with many talented people and beautiful scenery."

Jian Xi swallowed her saliva as she smelled the tempting aroma of the wine. Seeing that there was a small stove like the one the Queen had on the small table next to her, she resisted the urge to pour herself a glass as well.

"I like to drink this liquor on snowy days. One sip warms the body and makes one forget a lot of worries."

Jian Xi was well aware of the importance of establishing emotional connections with people, and they talked a lot during their conversation.

Zhang Qiao was free and easy in her conversation. Her favorite topics were her time leading troops in battles when she was young, and the customs and practices she encountered along the way.

Jian Xi would interject a few words from time to time, quoting from classics and adding what she had seen and heard.

The two people seemed like close friends regardless of age.

This was exactly the effect Jian Xi wanted to achieve. As for what Zhang Qiao asked her to do, she had some guesses in her mind.

If Zhang Qiao didn't tell her, she wouldn't ask.

The most important thing is to establish a connection with Zhang Qiao. What she wants is power. The woman opposite her has the greatest power in the entire Xuanwu Dynasty.

As long as you coax her and demonstrate your own value, everything you want will come naturally.

The more you want something, the less you should show the word "want" on your face.

People in high positions, especially people like Zhang Qiao, love suspicion the most.

There are only two people in the entire warm room now. It is the best time to get closer. Jian Xi has plenty of patience.

Zhang Qiao laughed out loud at Jian Xi's amusement, "Hahaha, I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. You are really good."

Jian Xi couldn't count how many times Zhang Qiao had praised her like this.

"I asked you to come here today because I am going to appoint you as the Minister of Agriculture."

!!!

"Your Majesty, this..." Jian Xi felt that her usually quick-witted brain didn't know what to say.

This sudden turn of events did not even have any foreshadowing.

But soon Jian Xi turned around.

Get up immediately.

"I accept your order and thank you for your grace. I will certainly live up to your trust."

I don’t know if the Grand Minister of Agriculture of the Xuanwu Dynasty is the same as the one she had heard about in the Xuanyuan Dynasty.

No matter what it is, it is an official position and it is good to have it.

Zhang Qiao thought Jian Xi would refuse at first and then accept it.

Unexpectedly, she just changed the subject and immediately thanked me.

"Do you know what the position of the Minister of Agriculture is?"

Jian Xi knelt on the ground and shook her head honestly, "I don't know."

Zhang Qiao couldn't help laughing at Jian Xi's straightforwardness, "I wonder if you still dare to accept it? It's not easy to be an official in Xuanwu. If you don't do it well, you will be beheaded." The second half of the sentence was pretended to be majestic.

Jian Xi was not afraid at all. "Since your majesty has granted me this position, you must have considered my ability to do it. Although I am not talented, if I don't even have the courage, I will have failed your majesty's kindness in vain."

Zhang Qiao nodded with satisfaction. She wanted it because she wanted it. She hated people who liked to pretend to be reserved.

In her position, she hated to spend time guessing what someone was thinking. It would be better for her to expose her ambitions openly like Jian Xi did.

"The Grand Minister of Agriculture of the Xuanyuan Dynasty before you was in charge of the country's money and grain, and was a first-rank official. However, the Xuanwu Dynasty is different. Because the gold and stone mines are controlled by major families, the power of money in the country will be divided into three parts. One person will be appointed from each of the Zhang, Ruan, and Qi families.

As for the position of Grand Minister of Agriculture, which is in charge of grain, it has been vacant for a long time. This is also due to my negligence. For many years, I did not pay enough attention to agriculture, so that this year's drought almost brought a devastating blow to the Xuanwu Dynasty.

This official position is of the third rank. I want you to write a rule within three days. If it is well written, I will personally confer the title on you."

Jian Xi understood the subtext.

If she wrote well, he would personally confer the title on her to support her.

If she can't write well, it's still unclear whether this official position will fall into her hands.

"Yes, thank you Your Majesty."

But there was one thing she didn't quite understand.

"Your Majesty, do you trust me so much?"

She came from the Xuanyuan Dynasty, and I'm afraid Zhang Qiao knows her identity better than she does.

Such a person coming from another country was granted such an important official position after only meeting him twice.

I don’t know if Zhang Qiao is just too careless or if there is some other conspiracy.

Hearing this, Zhang Qiao smiled confidently and said, "Since I dare to use you, I am naturally not afraid of your methods."

The look was like the one Jian Xi saw in the wild by a tiger before, full of savage aggression that made people shudder at the sight of it.

This comes from the empress's absolute self-confidence.

Jian Xi lowered her head as if she was shocked, "Yes, Your Majesty's decision is wise and powerful, and I am far behind."

"Alright, alright, stop flattering me and go get ready. If you can't write an answer sheet that satisfies me in three days, I will punish you severely." Zhang Qiao had a little sleepiness in his eyes.

He's old, and after chatting for so long and drinking quite a bit of wine, it's normal for him to feel a little tired.

Jian Xi tactfully excused herself from her duties, but as she left, she would occasionally glance at the wine beside her.

It smells really good.

I should have taken a small bite earlier.

Jian Xi went to the outer room and was helped by a maid to put on her cloak.

When he went out, it was Zhang Ge who personally escorted him.

"General Zhang, wait a minute."

A maid in palace dress was jogging, and she seemed to be holding something in her hand.

Zhang Ge stopped and was very surprised. "Beautiful lady official?"

The woman finally didn't have to rush so much, and she stopped suddenly, still panting.

Then he performed standard royal court etiquette to Jian Xi, "My Lord, I am Jia Jia, who is in charge of the royal court's wine. His Majesty specifically ordered me to give this wine to you, and said that you glanced at the wine fifteen times in total. If you want it next time, just tell me."

Jia Jia handed the box in her hand to Chu Lu who was behind Jian Xi.

Jian Xi was stunned.

Even the number of glances she gave could be counted so clearly, and she only glanced with her peripheral vision!

Jian Xi nodded. Although he had not been officially granted an official title, he did not need to perform formal formalities for his subordinates.

"Thank you, Lady Jia. Please report this to your Majesty for me. Three days later, Jian Xi will come to thank His Majesty in person for the reward." As he said this, he took out three gold leaves from his bosom and handed them to Jia Jia.

Jia Jia didn't expect there would be a reward, so she accepted it, bowed and hurried away.

Only Zhang Ge next to him was confused.

Just by meeting the empress once, Jian Xi became Jia Jia's superior.

You have to know that Jia Jia is a fifth-rank female official in the royal court. Her status is comparable to that of the captain of the guards, and she is quite favored by the empress.